What is the highest military rank achievable in the United States Navy?

The highest military rank achievable in the United States Navy is Fleet Admiral. This rank is a five-star commissioning authority and was created during World War II to ensure that senior naval officers had the ability to coordinate effectively with other branches of the military, as well as with allied forces. The position of Fleet Admiral is a rare title, with only four individuals having ever held it: William D. Leahy, Ernest King, Chester W. Nimitz, and William Halsey Jr.

Other ranks, such as Admiral, Rear Admiral, and Commander, exist within the Navy’s hierarchical structure but do not surpass the Fleet Admiral rank in terms of seniority and authority. Admiral is a four-star rank, while Rear Admiral includes both upper and lower ranks of two-star and one-star status, respectively, and Commander is a field-grade officer rank, which is considerably lower in the hierarchy. Therefore, Fleet Admiral stands as the pinnacle of naval command, distinguishing itself as the highest rank in the United States Navy.